GOVERNMENT / MECHANICAL

Fort Wainwright Recreation Facility

Information about the project:

Slayden Plumbing and Heating successfully completed the mechanical systems for the U.S. Army’s 39,369-square-foot single-story recreation facility at Fort Wainwright, Alaska. This multi-use facility was designed to serve as a dynamic social and recreational hub for military personnel and their families, featuring a wide range of amenities including a 16-lane bowling alley, a full-service restaurant with commercial kitchen and indoor/outdoor seating, arcade and gaming rooms, a toddler playroom, a rock climbing wall, soft play areas, party rooms, and comprehensive administrative and support spaces.

Given the subarctic climate of Fairbanks, the mechanical design emphasized system resilience, energy efficiency, and freeze protection. Space heating is supplied via steam from Fort Wainwright’s central district heating system, which also supports the generation of clean steam for humidification in sensitive zones such as the bowling alley. A 50% Propylene Glycol solution is used throughout the facility’s heating systems to prevent freezing, and heat is distributed through a combination of unit heaters in vestibules, equipment rooms, and storage areas, as well as reheat coils, radiant floors, and baseboard heaters in the public and high-occupancy zones.

Ventilation for the building is delivered through penthouse-mounted Variable Air Volume (VAV) heat recovery ventilators with enclosed maintenance access to ensure operational ease and efficiency. Special ventilation considerations were made for the commercial kitchen, which includes both Class I and Class II hood exhaust systems to support varied cooking operations safely and effectively.

Plumbing systems are comprehensive and designed for durability and performance. Stormwater is managed through roof and overflow drains that discharge to on-site drainage swales. Domestic hot water is produced by a steam-to-water heat exchanger, and pumped hot water recirculation ensures efficient delivery throughout the building. Wastewater is collected and processed via a ventilated indoor lift station, which discharges into a pressurized sewer main.

Cooling is provided through a hybrid approach. Direct Expansion (DX) units maintain critical cooling for the telecommunications and server equipment rooms, while an outdoor air-cooled chiller supplies comfort cooling to the larger occupied spaces. This chiller uses the same non-toxic 50% Propylene Glycol solution for freeze protection and operates chilled water coils located in the penthouse ventilators for whole-building climate control.

A unique aspect of this project was the integration of a steam-to-clean-steam generator to provide humidity control specifically for the bowling alley—a key feature in ensuring consistent lane performance and patron comfort in Alaska’s extremely dry winter air.

This project exemplifies our ability to deliver complex, integrated mechanical systems for high-use, multi-functional public facilities in extreme northern climates. Every system was designed and installed with long-term durability, operational reliability, and occupant comfort in mind.